The Local Source for News and Information Since 1980
DENTON – As the Denton Town Council approved the fiscal year 2026 budget May 1, they highlighted their key accomplishment: reducing the property tax rate 3% while creating a balanced general budget.
After a holding a public hearing on the budget bill, Ordinance 758, Mayor Abigail McNinch and Councilmen Lester Branson, Dallas Lister and Frank Taylor voted to enact it. Councilman Keith Johnson was absent.
The town’s real property tax rate dropped from 69 cents to 66 cents on each $100 of value. The reduction was the result of “the diligent work of the staff and the work sessions in setting priorities by the council … that still meets the mission of the town residents,” Lister said.
An additional longstanding priority of the council has been competitive salaries, including a 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA), “which improves the pay rate for all employees throughout the town for the entire year, as well as contributes towards their retirement amount when they do retire,” Lister said.
“We wanted to have an option that if revenues and expenses stay low that we have the ability to give some one-time bonuses at the end of the year … (and) still be able to show our gratitude to the staff,” Lister said. “We’re a very big, staff-oriented council.”
McNinch added, “We've had our discussions and looked at the budget, and we're very cognizant that the outlook’s bleak right now in terms of the economy. … We've been able to adjust for that and kind of prepare for that as well, so we're trying to balance it all, for sure.”
The adopted budget will be available to the public soon.
Zoning Ordinance introduced
Ordinance 759, or the draft official zoning ordinance was introduced and amended with suggestions from Town Planner Peter Johnston and Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan. The ordinance with map and charts is linked in the May 1 town council agenda or at https://dentonmaryland.com/town-council/meeting-agenda.
Infrastructure projects approved
Foy Road will soon be resurfaced by David A. Bramble, Inc., based in Chestertown.
Highway User Revenues and capital improvement plan (CIP) funds will pay for spot patching, wedge paving and surface paving of the one-mile stretch of town road from Legion Road to Hobbs Road.
The town has had an “action plan for … over seven miles worth of roads,” Getchell said. “But the one that we get the most complaints about for the last few years is Foy Road.”
The council approved the $311,151 project for the one-mile road. Getchell hopes the project will be started as early as spring or summer of 2025.
Easton-based Harper & Sons, Inc. general contractors is one step closer to building their facility in Denton Industrial Park. The company’s preliminary site plan was reviewed by the town planning commission April 29, and the town council approved its water and sewer allocation fee of $15,750.
“They're a good company that's coming into our industrial park,” McNinch said.
Public servants honored
Four proclamations were read, with three honoring the work of the town’s public servants.
The council recognized the National Day of Prayer held annually on the first Thursday in May. Earlier in the day, a well-attended service was held on the County Courthouse green.
The council proclaimed their support of the 56th annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week, May 4 to May 10. “Our clerks’ office does a tremendous amount of work, and it's all behind the scenes,” McNinch said.
The Congress and President of the United States designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as Police Week. The council issued a proclamation commemorating both, with Police Week as May 11 to 17.
Denton Police Chief George Bacorn accepted the proclamation and praise from McNinch, who said, “I feel like you guys exemplify community policing, and we're really lucky to have you guys.”
“We appreciate everything you do to make sure we can fulfill that mission,” Bacorn said.
The fourth proclamation recognized the 65th annual Public Works Week, May 18 to 24.
“Public Works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities, and to the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of the town of Denton,” McNinch read.
“There are so many failing infrastructure systems throughout the country, and we're not one of them because we've been doing a lot of hard work,” McNinch said, recognizing the work of Denton Superintendent of Public Works Mark Chandler and his staff.
“We don't defer maintenance, we keep on trend with the times, so thank you, Mark,” McNinch said. “When we don't have the funds, you MacGyver everything.”
Complete copies of all ordinances and resolutions are available for review at the town office, 4 N. 2nd St., Denton.
